Murkowski, 70, was flown from Juneau to Anchorage where doctors at Providence Alaska Medical Center performed the procedure Wednesday night to restore normal blood flow to the governor's heart.

A catheter was inserted into the governor's groin and guided to his heart where dye showed a branch of the left coronary artery was 95 percent to 98 percent blocked.

"We indeed did find a very narrow spot," said Dr. George Rhyneer, who performs 70 to 80 angioplasty operations a year.

Murkowski had no complications during the procedure and was in good condition Thursday. He was expected to be released this morning, Rhyneer said.

"Gov. Murkowski looks and feels quite well," Rhyneer said at a news conference. He described the governor's general health as "excellent."

Murkowski's wife, Nancy, said her husband told her he wanted to go home because the hospital bed was uncomfortable. She said when she left him following the procedure Wednesday night he was eating a turkey sandwich.

The governor complained Tuesday of being lightheaded, according to the doctor. Murkowski initially blamed his symptoms on being dehydrated.

When his symptoms persisted into Wednesday, he went to his doctor in Juneau, who wanted him sent to Providence's heart center because he believed his symptoms could indicate a serious problem, Rhyneer said.

The cardiologist said in 80 percent of cases, the procedure performed on Murkowski is permanent.

Since early March, Murkowski has been on the high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet made popular by Dr. Robert Atkins. He said last week he'd lost 14 pounds. The diet restricts carbohydrates but allows high-cholesterol, fatty foods.

Rhyneer said the diet probably had nothing to do with the governor's need for angioplasty.

Murkowski has no history of heart disease, but has been on cholesterol-lowering drugs for about a year, his wife said.

He likely will have to take medication to prevent a recurrence, Rhyneer said. He will also be advised to restrict his physical activity for about a month.

As for restrictions to his work schedule, Rhyneer said that was up to the governor. Spokesman Dennis Fradley said Murkowski postponed a meeting on allowing Russian factory ships to process pink salmon in Southeast Alaska.